Padre Nuestro

Padre nuestro, que estás en el cielo,

santificado sea tu Nombre;

venga a nosotros tu reino;

hágase tu voluntad en la tierra como en el cielo.

Danos hoy nuestro pan de cada día;

perdona nuestras ofensas,

como también nosotros perdonamos a los que nos ofenden;

no nos dejes caer en la tentación, y líbranos del mal.

Amén.

Red Coat Ceremony Day

Today was Red Coat Ceremony. I was skeptical at first but it was really cool. Each corps member went up with their team and said who/what they're dedicating their red City Year bombers too. It was really touching. I dedicated mine to my mom, my sisters, and the obstacles in life. BAM.

First Public PT Day - Daily Plaza

I can't even lie...this morning was a ton of fun!
I love being on PT Crew and CY Chi Rocked PT this morning!

CHECK US OUT!
http://www.youtube.com/user/cityyear#p/u

Long Day and PT Crew!

Today:
Two long sessions
*Continued literacy training... I very much enjoyed the sections on reader's theatre and using music in the classroom because those are two activities I personally enjoy and had great success with during my student teach experience
*Social Emotiona Learning - clearly a big component of education

Oh yeah...I MADE PT CREW TOO! YAY!
CY Chi Town better get ready because with T-Time & I on crew things are going to be ridiculous

Friendship Makes the World Go 'Round

Last night I hung out with some co-workers outside of work for the first time. We celebrated a birthday by shopping, eating, and bowling downtown. I had a blast and I'm so happy to finally feel like I have some friends at my job.

John 3:1-17 ??? "The Pursuit of Happiness"

I love it when bible verses and passages are just thrown at me. I logged on to Facebook and my Ma was talking about how her pastor discussed the "Pursuit of Happiness" along with John 3:1-17. I found the passage and read it, but I'm not sure how it relates with my pursuit of happiness other than believing in the word of the Lord and aligning my thoughts and actions with the purpose of getting into heaven. So, I thought I'd share. If you think of anything, let me know.

John 3:1-17 (New International Version)

John 3
Jesus Teaches Nicodemus
1Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a member of the Jewish ruling council. 2He came to Jesus at night and said, "Rabbi, we know you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the miraculous signs you are doing if God were not with him."

3In reply Jesus declared, "I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.[a]"

4"How can a man be born when he is old?" Nicodemus asked. "Surely he cannot enter a second time into his mother's womb to be born!"

5Jesus answered, "I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. 6Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit[b] gives birth to spirit. 7You should not be surprised at my saying, 'You[c] must be born again.' 8The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit."

9"How can this be?" Nicodemus asked.

10"You are Israel's teacher," said Jesus, "and do you not understand these things? 11I tell you the truth, we speak of what we know, and we testify to what we have seen, but still you people do not accept our testimony. 12I have spoken to you of earthly things and you do not believe; how then will you believe if I speak of heavenly things? 13No one has ever gone into heaven except the one who came from heaven—the Son of Man.[d] 14Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the desert, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, 15that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life.[e]

16"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son,[f] that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+3%3A1-17&version=NIV

A Verse For You - It should be easy to love.

God has poured out his love into our hearts.
- Romans 5:5


That's big. People should easily be able to love one another if they have God's love inside them. Just a thought.

The Haze Is Clearing

Upon reflection this was a decent week of training.

People wise, I feel a little secure in my school team, my unending affection for my IJ team will never cease, and I now find myself feeling pretty cool with a few individuals who have no team ties to me so that's wonderful news. In addition, I feel like the staff has warmed up as well so interactions aren't so awkward anymore so that's nice.

Session wise, as the week progressed the rotations and presentations got better and better. I can truly say I'm not such a big fan of powerpoint anymore and I will strongly consider other alternatives whenever I have to give presentations in the future. But I digress, I really enjoyed our math and reading sessions, although, honestly I did know about half of the information (sometimes more in-depth than the presenter) but I also learned a lot. Not only that, it allowed me to see what my team knew and was good at, as well as the flip side. I watch people, so even when I felt like material was repetitive to me, it was obvious when others had never heard/thought/understood things we were talking about, so I know to keep that in mind.

Other than that, I'm just happy because we finally visit schools next week. I just want to know my teacher and finally meet them. That's the big thing for me. It will be extra important when working with my kids, for my coordinator role, and for my sanity. It'll hopefully be a partnership and hopefully a break from the constant TEAM TEAM TEAM mentality which I think drains me.

-Counting Down

Lecture. Lecture. Lecture.

Lecture.
Powerpoint.
Qs & Ls.
Rotations.
Pair & Share.
Repetition.
Knowledge.
Commiseration.
Close-minded individuals.
Confrontation.
Learning.
Openness.
Collaboration.
Such is training so far.

BTA continues.

Just for Today

Lord, for tomorrow and its needs,
I do not pray;
Keep me, my God, from stain of sin
Just for today.

Let me both diligently work,
And duly pray.
Let me be kind in word and deed,
Just for today.

Let me be slow to do my will,
Prompt to obey;
Help me to sacrifice myself
Just for today.

And if today my tide of life
Should ebb away,
Give me thy Sacraments divine,
Sweet Lord today.

So for tomorrow and its needs
I do not pray,
But keep me, guide me, love me, Lord,
Just for today.

- Sy bil F. Partridge

http://www.beliefnet.com/Faiths/Prayer/index.aspx

Branding

Branding.
It's important for any organization.

I love that the golden arches mean McDonald's.
I love that the Nike check means running shoes.

I know what the City Year logo means to me...but what does it mean to others?

Today was all about how to sell ourselves and City Year.
I have very mixed feelings about it.
I understand the importance of it, but I felt like they were trying to brainwash me and tell me what to say and I'm not cool with that. Luckily, I'm me, and I will still answer questions and conduct business in my own individual style regardless of how any organization tries to shape me. However, I did learn a lot of new and valuable information about the corps and its history today.

Welp.
Goodnight.

P.S. I just made FB groups for my IJ and school based teams. #yeahbuddy

Bible Verse for Today - September 12

The Lord is good. His love endures forever, his faithfulness continues through all generations.
- Psalms 100:5

CTA Service Day #1 - Mexican Independence Day Parade

¡Viva Mexico!

I won rock paper scissors and got to ride on the mini bus in the parade. Lots of smiles and waves as we shouted ¡Viva Mexico! to the crowds. Easy hilarious and fun...especially for a service project. That about sums it up.

Bridge Builders = Rocket Power

I'm already slipping on my posts...but I was sick. Although excues are never acceptable. Anyhoo thus far, City Year has been cool, we really haven't done anything though. Thus far, its been training, scavenger hunt, traing, camp. I have met some cool people and I found out I'll be working at Austin Business and Entrepreneurial Academy High School. I ADORE my IJ team and I'm so thankful to have them as a support system. Bridge Builders!

9/1/2010

Switching things up...
A short bible verse to ponder today.

Ezekiel 20:19
I am the LORD your God; walk in my statutes, and keep my judgments, and do them;

Opening Day

Today was opening day...finally! Waiting for everything to start has been truly irking me. I was pleasantly surprised to find out our opening service day would be spent beautifying a school. It was like Service First, if you're from WashU, so I knew what the deal was.  For my journey team, I'm in the bridge builder's groups. I'm not going to lie, I'm highly skeptical of a year of group work...luckily this group is really cool. I just. Hope I get along with my school team just as well. Anyhoo...I paintedg this mural today then finished painting a classroom and setting up the desks. I honestly don't feel like I did much compared to other service projects. However we definitely make the school look better and no matter how small I made a difference so I'd still count the day as a win. I am extra sore from walking everywhere and having a personal fitness session at the gym yesterday so that's enough reflection for today. -#imout